Grayswood, Surrey

9 months of my life spent here

I was a boy sargeant soldier at Arborfield AAS when I came down with a serious illness and rushed into Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot and when I defied the odds and lived , it was discovered that I had pulmonary TB of the right lung. I was transferred to Connaught Military Sanatorium at Hindhead ,Surrey which I believe is the hospital featured in the photo ref.67886 although I do not recognise the angle it is taken from.
I got to know many of the patients and staff and although the hospital by this time was already condemned I received very good and kind treatment and the male orderlies competence and kindness motivated me into becoming a male qualified nurse. I am now 76yrs.old and am still working as an RGN in old folks homes in Lincolnshire, but I shall never forget those 9 mths months in Connaught Military Hospital ,Hindhead where I was restored to health from near death.
Thanks to any of the staff who may still be alive and who cared for me and who should read this. I remember Frank Tapp -orderly - RAMC. John Drew -orderly - RAMC . `Taffy Maddox` - patient- Royal Pioneer Corp. Cpl Roy Neal - patient (Next bed to me.)- (Who sadly died) `Copper `Corporal Longden (Patient) RCMP
McKinley - patient- Airborne. Major Edwards RAMC Commanding Officer. Later becam Senior Chest Physician for Leeds.
Clifford Charlesworth Ex - A/Sgt. Army Apprentice School. Arborfield.

Chiddingfold memories

As a child living in Chidd during the war we had freedom to roam anywhere we wished, ie Sidenhurst lakes (where I caught my first carp), the brooks where we fished for tiddlers which we cooked over a camp fire, climbed trees and made camps. Girls and boys played and swam together down the Lagg's in water so muddy it was like treacle but we were never ill or caught any disease, there was no H&S rules in those days. I now live in the West Country but still visit Chidd 2/3 times a year.  Bill MacDonald. Cornwall

1946-1971

GREW UP IN CHIDD IN THE 50-60'S. HAPPY MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD DAYS'
STILL "HOME" TO ME.. THOUGH NO LONGER LIVING THERE

Married Quarters 1950 to 1959

I lived in Deepcut from 1951 to 1959 in Ceylon Terrace, Blackdown Camp as a child in the army married quarters  My father had just been posted back to the UK after serving in Germany.
There were about eight blocks of terrace houses, each were given name like Bermuda, Ceylon, Cyprus and so on. I can't remember all the names.
At the end of Ceylon Terrace there was an infant school, the junior school was nearer the playing fields. When the children reached senior level we would be sent to Bagshot Secondary School, a bus was provided for the children.
In Blackdown Camp there was a cinema and grocery shop for the families to use and this was run by the NAAFI.
In the 1950s all the married quarters  were occupied and there was a lot of coming and going. Some families would only stay for about six months as they would be sent to overseas posting.
The quarters were very basic, one living room, a kitchen and a bathroom at the back of the house. The water could only be heated by the coal range in the kitchen, there were a gas cooker 1940’s style and a gas boiler, an aide to washing and boiling cloths.
The furniture was provided by the Army. Most of the families would use Deepcut village for other provision. The barracks and all Army land has now been sold off for private homes.